Ministry of Defence Police Application Form. (New Entrants from Other Forces)

Transcription

1 Ministry of Defence Police Application Form (New Entrants from Other Forces)

2 Are you eligible? Before you proceed with your application, please check that you meet all the following criteria to ensure that you are eligible to apply to become a police constable. All applications will be subject to robust medical/security/vetting processes and candidates are advised that at some locations/establishments an enhanced level of vetting is required which may result in applications being sifted out if they do not meet the required British Nationality/Residency status. To this end, you must have resided continuously in the UK for a minimum five year period immediately prior to your application to join as a new Police Constable with MDP (with any absence from the UK being no more than six months during this time). The qualifying UK residency period may be extended to 10 yrs for certain sensitive postings. If you have resided abroad due to serving in the British Armed Forces or on UK Government service, you are considered to have been resident in the UK. You should not have a criminal record. If you have a conviction as an adult or juvenile it is unlikely that you will be suitable but some minor offences and cautions may not exclude you. You must not be subject to a current live misconduct investigation. Tattoos are not an automatic bar to appointment but please refer to Note 4 for further details on what is not acceptable. You must not be registered bankrupt with outstanding debts, have outstanding County Court Judgments against you, or be subject to a current Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) in England and Wales. The same criteria applies for equivalencies in Scotland. You will need to be physically fit and you will need to pass the job-related fitness test (Currently comprising of a bleep test to level 7.6). If you receive a conditional offer of employment or are placed into a pool of successful candidates to whom it is intended a conditional offer will be made when a position arises, you will undergo a medical screening. You will also need to meet the minimum eyesight standards for corrected (glasses or contact lenses) and uncorrected vision. Having a previous criminal conviction/s or caution/s, is not an automatic bar to joining the MDP. However, you must disclose all convictions/cautions however minor when completing your application form. We will judge each case on its merits. (Parking infringements are excluded) If you are still uncertain as to your eligibility or have any questions, please contact us. 1

3 For office use only Candidate URN Application form for a Police Constable It is essential that you read all the guidance notes (see page 18). This form must be printed and handwritten in black ink. Use continuation pages only where allowed and clearly mark which questions they refer to. Please put your full name at the top of each continuation sheet. Sections that do not apply to you should be clearly marked N/A. DATA PROTECTION ACT The information you provide in this application form will be entered into a manual filing system and onto a computerised recruitment system and as such is covered by the rules set out by the Data Protection Act The data will be used to assess your suitability to join the police service and may be shared by other police-related organisations in the United Kingdom in respect of any recruitment applications you make. The information you provide may also be shared with other police-related organisations for monitoring purposes. Section 1 About you Personal Details (see note 1) Family name (e.g. surname) Surname at birth/previous surnames/maiden name (if different) Forename(s) Title (e.g. Mr, Ms, Mrs, Miss, Dr) Date of birth Age Town and country of birth Current address Postcode Date of start of occupancy (month/year) address Telephone numbers Home Work (if convenient) (including area code) Mobile National Insurance number Do you have a full UK manual driving licence? If YES, Driving licence number and category YES NO 2

4 Disability (see note 2) The Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination, victimisation or harassment in employment, including recruitment. The police service welcomes the recruitment of disabled people. Do you consider yourself to be disabled (see note 2 for definition) or have a learning difficulty, such as dyslexia, that you wish us to know about at this stage? In support of your application, please let us know whether there are any reasonable adjustments that you feel need to be considered to assist you with the application or recruitment process. YES NO Nationality (see note 3) What is your nationality? If you are a Commonwealth citizen or other foreign national, is your stay in the UK free of restrictions? YES NO If you are a Commonwealth citizen or other foreign national, you must include a copy of your passport showing that your stay in the UK is free of restrictions. YES NO Photocopy of passport enclosed? Criminal Histories (please use a continuation sheet if required) Convictions or cautions will not necessarily preclude you from appointment. It will depend on their nature and the circumstances of the offence. Failure to disclose convictions or cautions will, however, result in your application being refused. You must declare all convictions for any past offences, formal cautions by the police (including cautions as a juvenile, i.e. under 18 years) and any bind-overs imposed by any court. You should include traffic convictions such as speeding, drink-drive offences, fixed penalties for motoring or disorder offences, antisocial behaviour orders and any appearances before a court martial. You must also declare any charge or summons currently outstanding against you. You must include spent convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (by virtue of the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975) or any involvement with civil, military or transport police. You must also declare if you have ever been involved in any criminal investigation whether or not this led to prosecution (either of yourself or others). Some applicants do not declare information which they believe is no longer held on record. However, our enquiries will reveal incidents from long ago and failure to disclose these will lead to your application being rejected. If you have any doubts, include the details and let us decide if they are relevant. We will also want to know whether any of your close family or associates are involved in criminal activity and we will therefore search for any criminal convictions or cautions recorded against them. You must advise them that these enquiries will be made. The police service cannot disclose the results of these enquiries to you. Have you ever been convicted for any offence or been formally cautioned by the police for any offence or any bind-overs imposed by any court? (You must include traffic convictions, fixed penalties for motoring or disorder offences, anti-social behaviour orders and any appearances before a court YES NO martial. Any cautions as a juvenile should also be included.) If you have answered YES, please enter full details below. 3

5 Date (most recent first) Offence/ alleged offence Result (if known) Court/police station involved Criminal histories (continued) Do you have any impending prosecutions? YES NO If YES, provide full details. Have you ever been involved in a criminal investigation (whether or not this led to any prosecution)? YES NO If YES, please give details below. Are you currently the subject of any misconduct or complaint enquiries? YES NO If YES, please give details below. About your family Please tell us about your family (wherever they live) and any other persons (aged 10+) living at your address. Provide full names including any middle names, previous family or surnames and maiden names. You should make it clear what their relationship to you is, i.e. if you are referring to your full sister you should delete brother, half and step. Continue on a separate sheet if necessary and attach it to this page. Please complete all sections or your application will be delayed. Relationship to you (delete as appropriate) Yourself Full name (include previous surnames and name at birth, if different) Full address (include postcode, and date moved to address, if known) Your spouse or partner 4

6 About your family (continued) Your ex-spouse or ex-partner, if still in regular contact Your father Your stepfather or mother s partner Your mother Your stepmother or father s partner Your brother or sister (full/half/step etc) Your brother or sister (full/half/step etc) Your brother or sister (full/half/step etc) 5

7 About your family (continued) Your brother or sister (full/half/step etc) Your spouse s or partner s mother/stepmother etc Your spouse s or partner s father/stepfather etc Your spouse s or partner s mother s spouse or partner Your spouse s or partner s father s spouse or partner Your child/child of partner (only state if aged 10+) Your child/child of partner (only state if aged 10+) Other persons (aged 10+) living at your address (e.g. lodger) Please state relationship to you 6

8 Tattoos (see note 4) Some tattoos may preclude you from becoming a police officer. Do you have any tattoos? If YES, please complete the sections below. Where are your tattoos located? (Please indicate in the table below.) Hands Neck Forearms Face Other (please specify) YES You must include at least two photographs of each tattoo, if they are located on your hands, neck, forearms or face. The first photograph must be a close-up of the tattoo. The second photograph must clearly show the location of the tattoo on your body. a) Please describe the tattoo and the wording of the tattoo. b) In addition, please give a translation if applicable and describe any personal significance or meaning you attribute to the tattoo. NO Membership of British National Party or similar (see note 5) Are you a member of the British National Party, English Defence League, the National Front or YES similar? NO Business interests (see note 6) Do you currently have any job or business interests which you intend to continue should you become a police officer? This includes any role that involves financial gain e.g. property rental. YES NO If YES, please state the nature of this job or business and the extent of your involvement (e.g. activity involved, non-executive director). Include hours spent on it. Do you or your spouse or partner or any relative own or run a shop or business which requires a licence (e.g. liquor, gaming, refreshment house or entertainment)? If YES, please give details below. YES NO 7

9 Financial position (see note 7) Unless otherwise stated, complete these questions in respect of the last six years. If YES, you must provide full details (including dates). Failure to disclose accurate information may result in your application being terminated. YES NO Details (including dates) Have you had a loan arrangement terminated by a bank/building society/finance house/other? Have you had a credit/charge/store or cheque card withdrawn or been notified that a card or account has been defaulted? Are you in arrears with any existing loan/mortgage/hire purchase agreement? Have you ever been registered as bankrupt? If YES, have your bankruptcy debts been discharged?* Have you had any court action taken against you for any debt? Have you been party to an Individual Voluntary Agreement (IVA), Trust Deed, Debt Referral Order (DRO), Debt Management Programme or a voluntary agreement registered with the County Court or a Sheriffs Court or Court of Session Judgement in Scotland? Has a County Court Judgment or Sheriffs Court or Court of Session Judgement in Scotland been made against you on financial matters? If YES, has this been satisfied?* Have you been the subject of an attachment of earnings order? Have you had repossession proceedings commenced against you? Have you consolidated all your debts with one lender? * If applicable, please provide a Certificate of Satisfaction, as it is needed before your application can be processed. 8

10 Please state below if there is any further information relating to your financial position that you should bring to our attention. Previous addresses Please give all addresses at which you have lived over the last ten years. These must include details of home addresses, halls of residence or term-time addresses. Start with the most recent. Do not include your current address. Continue on a separate sheet if necessary and attach it to this page. Full address Postcode Approximate dates from (month/year) to (month/year)

11 Section 2 About your employment We will contact your current and past employers over the last 10 years for references. Please provide the details of the person we should approach. Please account for any gaps in employment. Present employment force/other (see note 8) Force Name: HQ Address: Rank/Position held: Date commenced: Collar Number: Outline of current duties: Reason for wanting to join MDP (please include full details of skills and experience): Period of notice required: All Police service and career history (most recent first) Brief outline of positions held and outline of duties From To 10

12 Previous employment (prior to police service) Start with the most recent. Continue on a separate sheet if necessary and attach it to this page. Employer s name and address Telephone number address Postcode Position held Date started Date left Reason for leaving Employer s name and address Telephone number address Postcode Position held Date started Date left Reason for leaving Employer s name and address Telephone number address Postcode Position held Date started Date left Reason for leaving Have you ever been dismissed from previous employment as a result of your conduct or capability? If so, please give details. 11

13 Referees (see note 8) Please give names and addresses of two referees who you have known for at least three years. These should not be employers, as we will already be contacting them. They should also not be police officers or related to you. Referee 1: Referee 2: Name Name Address Address Postcode How do you know this person? Telephone number address May we contact this referee now? YES NO Postcode How do you know this person? Telephone number address May we contact this referee now? YES NO HM Forces (see note 8) I have served/am serving in the: Royal Navy / Merchant Navy / Royal Air Force / Royal Marines / Army / Territorial Army (tick as appropriate). Other, please state Service number Rank/Rating Commanding Officer Unit and unit address Telephone address Expected date of discharge Served from/to Reason for discharge Postcode Are you liable for further service as a Reservist? YES NO If YES, please give details of Reserve liabilities.

14 Section 3 About your education and skills Your education (see note 9) Please give details of schools, colleges, university or other institutions attended since the age of 14. Start with the most recent and work backwards. Continue on a separate sheet if necessary and attach it to this page. Name and address of school/college/university Attendance from/to Full/part-time (include the postcode and telephone number, if known) Your qualifications and training Please list all your qualifications including vocational and professional qualifications, short courses and relevant in-house training. Also include details of examinations/qualifications due to be taken. Start with the most recent. Continue on a separate sheet if necessary. Examination type and subject (e.g. GCSE Geography) Date passed/due to be taken Grade (e.g. Merit, 2:1, A*) Skills Please tell us about any other skills you have such as driving or language skills and any voluntary or community activities you have been involved with. 13

15 Section 4 Declaration I declare that all the statements I have made in this application are true to the best of my knowledge and belief and that no relevant information has been withheld. Please tick the boxes to indicate your understanding and agreement. I understand that: I must inform the recruitment office without delay of any change in my circumstances. Criminal conviction checks will be made against myself and my family members and I have informed them of this. Financial checks will be undertaken to verify my financial status and that all such information will be treated in confidence. I consent to these checks being made. Formal disclosure of my Service Character Assessment (Armed Forces) (if applicable) will be sought and I consent to the provision of this. Successful candidates must serve wherever required to do so within the force area. The chief officer retains the right to reject any application without giving reasons. Any offer of appointment will be subject to satisfactory references (I consent to references being sought) and vetting, a medical examination, drugs testing, continued good conduct and maintenance of fitness. A conditional offer of appointment may be subject to fingerprints and a DNA sample being taken and checked against the relevant databases If I am appointed my fingerprints and a sample of my DNA may be held on record for elimination purposes. No member of the British National Party/English Defence League or other extreme membership groups, whose aims, objectives or pronouncements may contradict the duty to promote race equality can join the police service. The information I have provided may be held on manual filing and computer systems as part of the recruitment process. I understand that this information may be shared with other police forces. A member of a police force who has deliberately made any false statement or omitted information in connection with his or her appointment may subsequently be liable to misconduct proceedings. Signature Date 14

16 Equal opportunities The police service is an equal opportunities organisation and is determined to ensure that: The workforce reflects the diverse society which it serves and that the working environment is free from any form of discrimination, victimisation or harassment; No job applicant or employee is treated more or less favourably on the grounds of sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, age, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, colour, ethnic origins, religion or belief or disability. This is subject to the police service engaging in a positive action scheme which intends to overcome or minimise a person s disadvantage; and No job applicant or volunteer is disadvantaged by a provision, criterion or practice which cannot be shown to be a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim. The information supplied will be treated in the strictest confidence and will not affect your job application in any way. Completion of this section of the application form is voluntary, but the information will help us to ensure equality of opportunity. This information forms no part of the recruitment process. It will be detached from your application on receipt. Age Chinese or other ethnic group Chinese Gender Male Any other (please state) Female Prefer not to say Is your gender different to that which you were assigned at birth? (optional) Sexual orientation Bisexual Disability* Yes No Gay/Lesbian Ethnic origin Heterosexual White British Prefer not to say Irish Religious belief/faith Buddhist Any other white background Christian Mixed White and Asian Hindu White and Black African Jewish White and Black Caribbean Muslim Any other mixed background Sikh Asian or Asian British Bangladeshi Other (please state) Indian None Pakistani Prefer not to say Any other Asian background Black and Black British African Caribbean Any other Black background * Under the Equality Act 2010 a person is defined as disabled if they have (or have recovered from) a physical or mental impairment and the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on the person s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Cancer, HIV infection and multiple sclerosis are all conditions that are defined under the Equality Act

17 Marketing form To enable us to monitor our public relations and marketing activity, please indicate what prompted you to apply to join the police service. The completion of this form is voluntary (Tick any that apply). Police officer or other police service employee Friend/family/other word of mouth Careers office/school/college/library Jobcentre Plus (please state which) Website (please state site) Other advertisements, articles or interviews: on television (please state channel) in local press (please state publication) in national press (please state publication) in cinema (please state venue) at local event (please state venue) in recruitment poster (please state where, e.g. on bus) Social Media (Twitter, Facebook etc) other (please specify) Please give details of any other media, interviews or articles which prompted your application

18 Checklist 1 Read through your completed application form carefully. Ensure that it is clearly presented and that you have answered all the questions, marking them not applicable (N/A) where appropriate. Failure to provide accurate and complete information may result in your application being delayed or rejected. If after reading through the recruitment material you have any remaining questions, please feel free to contact your local recruitment office. Remember to make a photocopy of your completed application form. 2 Before returning your application form, please check that you have done the following: Have you included a telephone number on which you can be contacted? If you are a Commonwealth citizen or other foreign national, have you included a photocopy of your passport with evidence that your stay in the UK is not subject to restrictions? If applicable, have you enclosed photographs of any tattoos on your hands, neck, forearms or face? You have enclosed a copy of your driving licence (both parts) You have enclosed 4 x passport style photographs of yourself. Have you signed the declaration on this page? If applicable, have you enclosed a Certificate of Satisfaction (see page 8)? Have you completed and enclosed the Equal Opportunities Form and Marketing Form (see pages 15 and 16)? The completed application form and all enclosures should be sent to the MDP recruitment office. 17

19 Guidance notes for the completion of this application form Your application will tell us what we need to know to determine whether you go through to the next stage of our selection procedure. You should read these notes carefully before you complete the form. You might also find it helpful to retain a copy of your completed application to refer to later. Note 1 Personal details Applicants for the police service must undergo thorough screening. Please list all names by which you have been known, including your name at birth. Your application will not be processed without a National Insurance number. MDP require a full UK manual driving licence with no more than six penalty points on application. If you hold a driving licence please include your driving licence number and category. Note 2 Health, fitness, eyesight and disability Applicants must be in good health, of sound constitution and able both physically and mentally to perform the duties of a police officer once appointed. Successful applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment or who are placed in a pool of successful candidates to whom we intend to make a conditional offer when a position arises will then be asked prior to appointment to fill in a medical questionnaire and undertake a medical examination which will also include an eyesight test. Failure to meet the medical and eyesight standards will mean you cannot be appointed. You will also be required to pass a physical fitness test. Information about the medical and eyesight standards, the fitness test and fitness training can be found on our recruiting website. The Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination, victimisation or harassment in employment, including recruitment. If you have a disability, we will make adjustments where it is reasonable to do so. Please provide any additional information about your disability and details of any reasonable adjustments that you think you may need to complete the application form or undertake the assessment process. If you have a learning difficulty and require reasonable adjustments in completing this form, please contact the MDP Recruiting Team. Disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and longterm adverse effect on the ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. 18

20 Note 3 Nationality All applications will be subject to robust medical/security/vetting processes and candidates are advised that at some locations/establishments an enhanced level of vetting is required which may result in applications being sifted out if they do not meet the required British Nationality/Residency status. To this end, you must have resided continuously in the UK for a minimum five year period immediately prior to your application to join as a new Police Constable with MDP (with any absence from the UK being no more than six months during this time). The qualifying UK residency period may be extended to 10 yrs for certain sensitive postings. If you have resided abroad due to serving in the British Armed Forces or on UK Government service, you are considered to have been resident in the UK. Do not send your actual passport with this application. Other documentary evidence of your status may be required. Note: All candidates will be required to produce their passports when attending an assessment centre. Note 4 Tattoos The MDP applies a tattoo policy. All tattoos are assessed individually. You should not have tattoos which could cause offence. Tattoos on the hands, above the neckline or those which are particularly prominent, or likely to undermine the dignity and authority of the office of constable are not permitted. You will be required to provide photograph(s) of tattoos with a visible measure for scale. A verifiable translation must accompany any tattoos containing non-english words, characters or representation. Tattoos on the arms that are excessive in size or visual impact may not be accepted; a rough guide would be significant tattooing on one arm and a small tattoo on the other arm. Tattoos anywhere on the body which appear to be discriminatory, offensive or provocative will not be accepted. Note 5 Membership of British National Party or similar The police service has a policy of prohibiting any of their officers, or staff or volunteers from becoming members of extreme groups such as the British National Party (BNP), English Defence League (EDL), Combat 18, National Front etc, whose aims, objectives or pronouncements may contradict the duty to promote race equality. If you are a member of the BNP or similar, your application will be rejected. Note 6 Business Interests Unless the chief officer decides otherwise, you will not normally be eligible for appointment as a police officer if you have any of the following business interests: You hold any office or employment for hire or gain (other than as a police officer) or you carry on any business. 19 You, your spouse or partner or any relative living with you holds or has a financial interest in any licence or permit relating to liquor licensing, refreshment houses or betting and gaming or the regulation of places of entertainment in the area of the police force in question. However, the chief officer may decide to allow the business interest, if he/she thinks it is compatible

21 with being a member of the force. Note 7 Financial position Police officers are in a privileged position with regard to access to information and could be considered potentially vulnerable to corruption. Applicants to the police service should not therefore be under pressure from undischarged debts or liabilities and should be able to manage loans and debts sensibly. Police Regulations also state that a member of a police force shall not wilfully refuse or neglect to discharge any lawful debt. Your application will therefore be checked to determine and verify your financial position. Most applicants have debts, such as mortgages, undischarged student or other loans, and credit/store card debts. Debts which are within your means and are manageable are not a bar to appointment. Note 8 Employment You are asked to provide details of employment covering at least the last ten years. Include full-time and part-time work and answer the questions in each of the columns. We will not make enquiries with your current employer unless you are recommended for appointment or unless you have agreed to let us approach them now. You must account for any gaps in employment and provide details of someone who can verify this. Applicants who have existing County Court judgments outstanding against them or who have been registered as bankrupt and their bankruptcy debts have not been discharged will not be considered. Applicants who have discharged County Court judgments may be considered. Applicants who have been registered as bankrupt and their bankruptcy debts have been discharged will only be considered after three years from discharge of the debt. Applicants who are the subject of a current Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), Debt Referral Order (DRO), Debt Management Programme or a Voluntary agreement registered with the County Court, or Scottish equivalents, may not be considered. References Give the names, addresses and telephone numbers of two referees and include the position they hold, if known. They should not: be your current or previous employer, be a police officer; or be related to you. You should have known them for at least three years. Note 8 Employment (continued ) HM Forces Applications from members of the services who have 12 months or more before discharge may still be accepted, at the discretion of the chief officer. Please enclose confirmation of your projected date of discharge (e.g. a letter from checks will be made with the appropriate military authority at an early stage in the selection process. This is in addition to your current employer s reference, if different. 20

22 your commanding officer). Due to the nature of employment with HM Forces, it must be emphasised that security It is at the discretion of the chief officer as to whether successful applicants are allowed to remain on the Reserve List. Note 9 Education and Skills Qualifications are not a requirement for appointment, but if recommended for appointment you will be required to produce examination certificates for training and development purposes. If you are still in, or have recently left, full-time education, we may also ask for the name of a referee from the relevant institution. 21

23 A final word What can hold up the process? Your application and assessment can be completed within six - nine months. However, these are some of the more common reasons that can cause delays: A medical query raised by the force occupational health provider. This may need reference to your doctor, and your consent will need to be obtained before your doctor is approached. You may find it helpful to discuss any medical issues at an early stage. Difficulties in obtaining security clearance (perhaps because you have been living abroad) and delays in obtaining references from referees. Failure to complete all parts of the application form or to include copies of all the documents requested or to sign the declaration. Failure to train properly for and pass the fitness test first time. Your co-operation can help to avoid delays. 22